Indian Model Breaks Chanel Mold in Pirelli Calendar

The Pirelli calendar, historically a major platform for fashion photography, has chosen India as the location for its latest edition, featuring an all-Indian cast. This initiative underscores a growing recognition of South Asian representation in the fashion industry and the crucial role of Indian craft. Indian artisans and their traditional contributions, like Kolhapuri chappals, are gaining acknowledgment, with fashion houses now referencing and crediting their origins.

Model Bhavitha Mandava, notable for being the first Indian woman to open Chanel's Métiers d'Art show, expressed initial hesitation due to the calendar's past eroticism but praised Pirelli's efforts to make her feel included. The project, initially planned with photographer Raghu Rai, now continues with his daughter Avani Rai following his death. The calendar aims to capture the essence and diverse universes of India, moving beyond stereotypes.

Musician Anoushka Shankar and model-chef Padma Lakshmi also feature, emphasizing the changing global perception of South Asian beauty. Shankar noted how once, Indian teenagers felt self-conscious, but now, South Asian presence in global culture has shifted this. Lakshmi, returning to India for the shoot, felt it celebrated femininity and the diverse faces of Indian women worldwide, moving past narrow stereotypes.